NY SUN WORKS AND NY HALL OF SCIENCE WELCOME LOCAL PRE-K STUDENTS TO FIRST HARVEST FROM HYDROPONIC GARDEN EXHIBIT
October 25, 2024
Young Students from the Mosaic School (Q369) harvested and took home fresh produce from the hydroponic systems.
CORONA, NY – The New York Hall of Science and NY Sun Works welcomed dozens of Pre-K students from nearby Mosaic School in Corona this morning to be the first to harvest produce grown in the newly installed hydroponic garden.
These students were guided by instructors from New York Sun Works, which designed and installed the exhibit, on the basics of hydroponics, how a plant grows, and how to harvest the basil plants in the unique hydroponic systems that make up the exhibit. At the end of the lesson, students were invited to take the harvested basil home to their families.
The hydroponic lab at the Hall of Science is one of over 350 citywide and 70 in Queens that NY Sun Works has installed and supports in public schools. These labs are coupled with standards aligned, grade-specific, year-round sustainability science curriculum and teacher training. Together, they are designed to empower and inspire the next generation of scientists, biologists, agriculturalists, agronomists, activists, and community leaders who will create solutions to local and global climate challenges.
Hydroponic technology is indoor vertical farming that enables the cultivation of plants in an indoor environment. Rather than from the sun, plants receive energy from LED lighting that is tailored specifically to the energy needs of the plants. Instead of using soil, seeds are planted in soil-free growth mediums.
“Watching these young people in action, picking living plants and learning about seed to harvest cycles of growing, is exactly the sort of exciting and innovative learning experiences we are known for,” said President and CEO of the New York Hall of Science Lisa Gugenheim. “We are just thrilled with the ongoing partnership with NY Sun Works, who are leading the way in hands-on sustainability science education in New York City, and supporting our mission of Design, Make, Play. We look forward to many more bountiful harvests to come.”
The NY Sun Works hydroponic garden at the Hall of Science is a living exhibit, teaching NYSCI visitors of all ages about the science of sustainability. It was unveiled last month during climate week, along with a new $2.3M commitment from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards to fund similar hydroponic systems in science classrooms Queenswide.
“This hydroponic lab at the New York Hall of Science is our first and only lab that is also a living exhibition, open to the public and the many students and teachers who visit the museum each day,” said NY Sun Works Executive Director Manuela Zamora. “The day of harvest is an especially exciting one for our young learners. On that day, the unique way that the hydroponic systems support the growing cycle is finally revealed in a ready to pick plant. Watching students make those new connections while experiencing the taste and smell of fresh basil, perhaps for the first time, is truly where the joy of learning meets the science of sustainability. We thank NYSCI for their excellent partnership.”
The next harvest of the garden is expected to be in 4-6 weeks.
